Geranium plant named ‘Fip 749’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named ‘Fip 749’ characterized by the combined features of lavender-rose, semi-double flowers, numerous, medium sized umbels, dark-red peduncles, dark-green foliage mostly without zonation, compact and tight, well-branched plant habit, and relatively early flowering.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Pelargoniumzonale L'Heritier.

Variety denomination: ‘Fip 749’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Fip 749’.

‘Fip 749’ is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new zonal geranium cultivars with violet tolavender flower color in combination with dark-green foliage.

‘Fip 749’ originated from a hybridization made by the inventor AngelikaUtecht in a controlled breeding program in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain,in 1997. The female parent was an unpatented hybrid seedling, no.95-104-9, having deep purple-pink, single-type flowers, dark-greenfoliage, and relatively compact plant habit. The male parent of ‘Fip749’ was the commercial variety ‘Arlena’, (Plant Breeder's Rights grantunder the denomination ‘Penarl’), with light lavender, semi-doubleflowers, medium to light green foliage without zonation, and small,compact plant habit.

‘Fip 749’ was selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross by Angelika Utecht in 1998 in a controlled environment inGaldar, Gran Canaria, Spain. The first act of asexual reproduction of‘Fip 749’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from theinitial selection in the fall of 1998 in a controlled environment inGaldar, Gran Canaria, Spain, by, or under the supervision of, AngelikaUtecht.

Horticultural examination of plants grown from cuttings of the plantinitiated in May 1999 in Hillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany, andcontinuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for ‘Fip 749’ are firmly fixed andare retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

‘Fip 749’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length.

The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describeplants grown in Hillscheid, Germany, under greenhouse conditions whichapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Fip 749’ in combination distinguish thisgeranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Lavender-pink and white, semi-double flowers;

2. numerous medium sized inflorescences on reddish peduncles;

3. dark green foliage without or with only very weak zonation on youngleaves,

4. compact, and relatively low, rounded plant habit; and

5. early spring flowering response for a variety with dark-greenfoliage.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to ‘Fip 749’ are the patented variety ‘Fislypso’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,162), and the variety ‘Fip 765’ (Co-pending U.S.Plant patent application No. 10/259,584).

In comparison to ‘Fislypso’, ‘Fip 749’ has a slightly deeper and morepink tone of flower color, more distinct white zones at the bases of theupper petals, shorter peduncles and dark-green, instead of medium-green,foliage.

In comparison to ‘Fip 765’,‘Fip 749’ has a more rose, less violet hue ofmain flower color, roughly similar plant habit and size, but somewhatshorter peduncles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of ‘Fip 749’ with colors being as true as possible withan illustration of this type. The drawing depicts a side elevationalview of a typical flowering potted plant of ‘Fip 749’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The measurements were taken in Hillscheid, Germany, in mid May 2002, 10weeks after planting of rooted cuttings. The plants were growing in 14cm plastic pots, they had not been pinched. In the following descriptioncolor references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart. The color values were determined indoors from plants developed ina green-house in May 2002 in Hillscheid, Germany.

Inflorescence:

Umbel:

Shape.—Intermediate between umbrella and semi-spherical shape.

Average diameter.—98 mm.

Average depth.—50 mm.

Peduncle length.—145 mm.

Peduncle color.—Mainly reddish brown, RHS 183 B, green near base, RHS143 B.

Pedicel length.—25 mm, no spur.

Pedicel color.—Reddish brown, RHS 181 A.

Number of flowers per umbel.—About 20-25.

Corolla:

Average diameter.—52 mm.

Form.—Semi-double.

Shape.—Round outline, flat cup shape.

Number of petals.—7-9.

Number of petaloids.—0-1.

Shape of petals.—Obovate, base acute, upper end rounded, margin entire.

Size of petals.—Upper petals: 30 mm long, 22-23 mm wide lower petals:24-26 mm long, 22-24 mm wide.

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).—Lavender-pink.

Color of upper petals.—Main part RHS 68 A, near base white, RHS 155 A.

Markings of upper petals.—Two weak pink veins, RHS 68 C.

Color of lower petals.—Approximately RHS 74 C.

Markings of lower petals.—None.

Color of lower surface of petals.—Mainly RHS 78 D, middle, lighter RHS75 C.

Petaloids.—Same color as petals.

Color of sepals.—Outer surface: green, RHS 143 B, base RHS 179 A: innersurface: green, RHS 143 C, base RHS 179 B.

Number of sepals.—5.

Shape of sepals.—Linear to lanceolate, acute tip, truncate base, surfacewith very weak pubescence, margin entire.

Size of sepals.—12-13 mm long, 3-4 mm wide for the largest upper sepal,2 mm in width for the other sepals.

Bud: (just prior to petals unfolding).

Shape.—Elliptical.

Color of sepals.—Green, RHS 143 A, base RHS 179 A.

Color of petals.—RHS 72 D near margin, marbled with lighter spots: RHS73C to 73D.

Length.—21 mm.

Width.—12 mm.

Reproductive organs:

Androecium.—5-7, occasionally 9 fertile anthers, moderate pollen,orange, RHS 30 A, filaments white, RHS 155 D, to light-pink, RHS 68 C.

Gynoecium.—One pistil, style and stigma pink, RHS 66 D, stigma5-6-lobed.

Fertility/seed set.—No seed set observed.

Spring flowering response period: In Hillscheid, Germany, in 2002 plantshad on average 0.8 flowers opened 8 weeks after planting of rootedcuttings.

Outdoor flower production: Continuously and rich flowering, the flowercount in 2002 in Hillscheid, Germany, indicated about 5 inflorescenceper plant in mid May.

Durability: Good stability of flower color, fair rain resistance.

Lastingness of the individual flower: About 6 days at 18° C., about 15days for the umbel.

Fragrance: None.

PLANT

Foliage:

Shape.—Kidney-shaped with weak lobes, cordate base, with the gap betweenthe lowest lobes almost closed.

Margin.—Distinctly bi-crenate, somewhat wavy.

Texture.—Upper surface smooth, velvety, dull to slightly glossy.

Size of leaf.—90 mm wide, 51 mm long.

Color of upper surface.—Dark green, approximately RHS 137 A to RHS 137B.

Color of zonation.—Deeper green, between RHS 137 A and RHS 147 A.

Color of lower surface.—RHS 137 D.

Petioles.—70-90 mm long, about 3 mm diameter, light green in color,approximately RHS 143 C.

General appearance and form:

Stem color.—Green, RHS 143 A.

Internode length.—10-15 mm.

Branching pattern.—6.3 branches.

Plant size.—Height 19.6 cm (10-week-old plants, as described); width28.4 cm as measured from the top of the soil (base of the main stem) tothe surface of the foliage canopy without inflorescences.

Pest/disease resistance/susceptibility: No observations to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named ‘Fip749’, as described and illustrated herein.